‘THE ROSE OF SOWETO’ PASSES

Tribute to a South African great

DINGAAN THOBELA, the twoweight world champion from South Africa, sadly passed away on April 30 after illness. He was 57.

Rising to prominence at the end of the apartheid era, the hugely popular Thobela was an exceptional, smooth-boxing stylist who won WBO and WBA 135lbs crowns in 1990 and 1993, before drifting into almost journeyman status, epitomised by his surprise defeat to Karl Taylor in Cannock in November 1994.

Yet Thobela, a secret philanthropist who gave back to the community who had supported him, rebounded unexpectedly as a super-middleweight stunning Bristol’s Glenn Catley with a breathtaking, last-gasp stoppage to win the WBC crown in 2000. Behind on the cards, the South African triumphed in front of his supporters with just seven seconds remaining, prompting wild scenes of jubilation at Carnival City in Brakpan. His career ended with seven straight losses at the higher, unnatural poundage as he left the ring with a 40-14-2, 26 KOS record. Nelson Mandela was said to be an ardent Thobela fan.

His death came days after South Africa marked the 30th anniversary of the end of apartheid. “As we celebrate 30 years of South African democracy, we mourn the loss of an athlete who did so much to elevate South African sport through his success in boxing,” said the country’s Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa. “We also celebrate a champion boxer who inspired the nation, future boxers and champions from Soweto, Mdantsane, Thohoyandou and other parts of the country.”

Everyone at Boxing News passes on their condolences to Dingaan’s family, friends and fans.